Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-08-19
VERMONT UNIVERSALISTS.
CLOSE OF THEIR GROVE MEETINGS
AT QUEEN CITY PARK.
An Excursion to Ausable Chasm Saturday
and "A Pleasant Serenade in the Even
ing-Interesting Services Yesterday
with Large Audiences.

ing-Interesting Services Yesterday
with Large Audiences.
The grove meetings at Queen City Park
have been more than usually interesting
during the past week and the numerous
visitors are enthusiastic in their praise of
the park and the scenery in the vicinity.
Another field of beautiful sights was
opened to many of them Saturday, when a
party numbering 100 went on an excur-
sion to Ausable Chasm, making the trip
across the lake on the steamer Williams.
1t was the first visit to the chasin for
many of the party and as is the case with
all who visit it, they were delighted with
the marvellous scenery that it affords.
Saturday evening party from this city
to the number of nearly 200 went to the
park on the Republic to serenade the
campers, Sherman's Military band &C
companyng the excursion for the pur-
pose of furnishing music which they did
| in their usual lnimitable manner. The
| arrival OF the excursion at the park amid
strains of music by the band was greeted
with the waving of handkerchiets and
enthusiastic cheers by those in camp.
A brief social time followed at the hotel,
| during which the famous Schubert quar-
| tette sang number of selections that
commanded alike the admiration and APP
plause of the visitors A merry time was
! had over the sale of % pounds of candy,
Charles Caverly, Esq. of Boston, assum-
ing the role OF auctioneer III Il
manner that brought down the
audience. 1t is safe to say that candy sell
dom commands so high figures as it did
on this occasion, the lot selling for the
handsome sum of S15, which is to be de-
voted to the benefit of the Universalist
church at Albany. The band then re-
! paired to the band stand about which
was assembled a large and appreciative
audience. The boys were at their best
and they rendered many of the popular
airs of the day as well as more difficult
compositions in a most satisfactory man
ner, receiving numerous encores. After a
| pleasant social time the serenadlng party
embarked, reaching this city about 10.
SUNDAYS SERVICES.
The services held Sunday at Queen City
Park closed one of the most successful
grove meetings the Universalst have held
in the State. The day was beautiful and
there was a large crowd present there be
ing beside those in camp on the grounds,
many in attendance for the day from this
citya and adjoining towns. The Republic
alone carried more than 500 to the
grounds.
An audience of fully 600 assembled be-
fore the stand atil0;30 a. m. for the opening
services of the day. The music was furnish
ed by the schubert quartette of Boston,
Rev. G. w. Perry of Rutland offered the
opening prayer, after which a
powerful sermon was preached by Rev.
q. f. Flanders, ID. d., of New Bedford,
Mass. His theme was Immortality.
The special argument was resume of the
evidences n of nirit
which are afforded by the most recent de-
ductions of science. He traced the pro-
cesses of creation, as unfolded by scien-
fists and showed how, from the first begin
ning of creative energy progressive steps
have been taken until as the browning
achievement of infinite power man was
created with attributes like his Makers
IN essence the same as God, aud
therefore immortal because God is
immortal III the realm of chemical
forces certain elements combine, and
others have no affinity for each other.
Man contains the sum of indestructible
forces and elements, as to his inner ma
ture, MS he embodles the various material
elements of earth on the physical side of
his nature. By virtue of his origin Uy an
Infinite Being OF endless existence, and by
reason OF his possessing mind and spirit,
man is like unto his Master who has
given him his ceaseess longing to live
always, and who will not fail TO satisfy
that longing. The sermon closed with a
tender and eloquent portrayal of the
heavenly world and the certainty of en-
tering upon 1t when the end of earthly
life shall come.
, In the afternoon at 230 still larger
, audience than in the morning assembled
at the stand, and after the opening ser
, vices Rev. A. g. Rogers of Albany, n. V.
WAS introduced, who spoke forcibly and
eloquently from the words found in Cor
xiii II, When | became a man put away
childish things. The following Is but a
very brief outline of the speakers words
which were followed with the closest at
tention by the vast audience present
There Is time for everything, and God
has given beauty to everything. Each
season has its own peculiar beauty, we
trace God S hand III everything, but each
mas its beauty, in It's own time. So with
growth of man, the different stages
all have their charms, but they are
beautiful only in their time. 1t is so with
, the mental growth. So also in our spirit
ual life; we have the babes, the young
men, the middle-aged, the father whose
l hairs are already whitening. Bat all are
beautiful only in their time
There is a vast difference between child
likeness and childishness. The apostle
Paul would have US retain the chid-like-
ness. Let us deal this afternoon with the
things we should put away; ignor-
ance, the understanding of the
child is cruder and the truths
, taught them should be simple, so that
they may be comprehended. God adopts
, himself to the needs and humanity of the
growing world. 1t is incumbent upon Us to
rise to the very highest conception of
Christianity.
, Narrowness is another characteristic of
} the child. The men who led the world in
5 its advances were from ali classes and
sects who were larger than their
l creeds, speak in behalf of that liberal
= ism of the purest kind The world ap
= plauds everything that detracts from con
structive Christianity. But in our desire
to be conservative let us not be iliberal. He
e best maintains his Christian character
who is conservative without being dis
loyal.
In orr Christian life we shall find on.